D-backs All-Stars Step Up to End Losing Streak

When experiencing tough times during the season, the team needs players they can count on to get them through it. Tonight it was the Diamondbacks' All-Stars who stepped up to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-3 at Chase Field to snap a four-game losing streak.

It started with Zac Gallen, who once again played the role of stopper. In his first nine starts following a loss, he was 6-0 with a 1.84 ERA while the team had won seven of those starts. He continued that tonight, pitching one of his best games of the season. Gallen held the Pirates to one run on four hits in seven innings, striking out five and not issuing a walk.

"Zac set the tone for us" said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. "What Zac did gave us a chance to get in the dugout, catch our breath a little bit, and keep us in the game and put up that big crooked number and break the game open. For me, it was about Zac getting the job done and allowing us to have the big offensive moment."

Gallen was working ahead of the count all night, throwing first-pitch strikes to 19 of the 25 batters he faced. That put Pittsburgh hitters on the defensive, resulting in a lot of early outs. 12 of his 21 outs Gallen recorded were on three pitches or fewer.

"I felt pretty good, looked like everything was working for the most part" said Gallen. "I was able to stay locked in with sequences and the reports. I owed them a good one after last time. I'm just glad we were able to get off the skid and find a way to win tonight."

The D-backs ace was extra motivated to have a strong outing tonight. The Pirates had tagged Gallen for a season-worst eight runs in 3 2/3 innings back on May 19th.

"That one has definitely sat with me the last two months. They got me, it is what it is. I owed them one. The video of Dennis Green kept playing in my head. I knew I owed them one."

While their ace kept putting zeros on the board they were able to score thanks to a big night at the plate from Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who was 3-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, and a three-run home run that gave them an early 4-0 lead.

ALL-STAR @yunitogurriel launches a 3-run blast! pic.twitter.com/YcnTTk2USb
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 8, 2023

"It's a very long season, it's about coming out and working every day" said Gurriel through translator Alex Arpiza. "Thankfully I was able to prepare today, get some good results today". It was also the first time this season that Gurriel got to wear the victory vest at home. The vest has become D-backs' go-to postgame celebration, with the All-Star outfielder the mastermind behind this new tradition.

The D-backs will have a bullpen game tomorrow, with left-hander Kyle Nelson taking on the role of the opener. Pittsburgh will send their All-Star ace, Mitch Keller (9-4, 3.52 ERA) to oppose him. First pitch at Chase Field will be at 1:10 PM MST.